Carson Daly, Justin Timberlake and J.C. Chasez drop by the final episode of MTV's "TRL"

<b>MTV</b><br>
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<b>The glory days:</b> Depends on who you ask. In its inception, MTV was anti-establishment, just rock 'n' roll VJs, 'round-the-clock music videos and plenty of attitude. In the late '90s and early 2000s, the network reached ratings highs by became a breeding ground of sorts for teeny-bopper franchises from Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys to Blink-182 and Offspring. Shows like "The Real World" introduced a new kind of documentary series, a look into the lives of young people nearing the turn of the century.<br>
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<b>Troubled times:</b> MTV became a victim of its own ratings success right around the dawn of trainwreck TV hits "The Osbournes" and "Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica," which birthed lesser copycats and a mandate to find similar fare. Meanwhile, "TRL" devolved from a booming interactive music video countdown to just one of several stops on the celebrity promotional circuit. Now, MTV stands for little else than "The Hills." (Seriously, is there anyone that can name even one other show that airs on the channel?)<br>
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<b>Bailout plan:</b> Stop doing cheap reality. Steal "American Idol" from Fox. Come up with a bigger, better version of "High School Musical." Hire Josh Schwartz or Joss Whedon to come up with a music-centric equivalent of "Gossip Girl" or "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Peter Kramer / Associated Press /

MTV

The glory days: Depends on who you ask. In its inception, MTV was anti-establishment, just rock 'n' roll VJs, 'round-the-clock music videos and plenty of attitude. In the late '90s and early 2000s, the network reached ratings highs by became a breeding ground of sorts for teeny-bopper franchises from Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys to Blink-182 and Offspring. Shows like "The Real World" introduced a new kind of documentary series, a look into the lives of young people nearing the turn of the century.

Troubled times: MTV became a victim of its own ratings success right around the dawn of trainwreck TV hits "The Osbournes" and "Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica," which birthed lesser copycats and a mandate to find similar fare. Meanwhile, "TRL" devolved from a booming interactive music video countdown to just one of several stops on the celebrity promotional circuit. Now, MTV stands for little else than "The Hills." (Seriously, is there anyone that can name even one other show that airs on the channel?)

Bailout plan: Stop doing cheap reality. Steal "American Idol" from Fox. Come up with a bigger, better version of "High School Musical." Hire Josh Schwartz or Joss Whedon to come up with a music-centric equivalent of "Gossip Girl" or "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

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